Job Opportunities at Boma Projects - 3 Positions

Job Description

As BOMA continues to grow, we seek an innovative M&E Manager with a deep understanding of monitoring and evaluation and CLA to join our team.  S/he will develop and refine BOMA project-based MEL Plans, lead development and implementation of effective monitoring and evaluation processes, and establish a data quality management strategy. S/he will provide leadership and day-to-day-management of BOMA’s rigorous field-based monitoring and evaluation activities including digital data collection and analysis for baselines and endlines in addition to the design and implementation of additional studies in close collaboration with the Director of Research, Evaluation and Learning.  The M&E Manager is expected to seek out innovations and best practice methodologies that will strengthen the quality, design, and metrics and of BOMA M&E activities that will provide inputs for program learning and improvements, contribute to the global evidence base for graduation, inform future project design, and underpin quality donor reporting

The ideal candidate is a data-driven, analytical, detail-oriented individual with experience managing M&E, conducting field assessments and household surveys.  He or she is both hands-on and able to do project design, planning, project management, and analysis and is passionate about women’s economic empowerment.

Responsibilities:

Monitoring and Evaluation

Support the development of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan across the organization and ensure delivery against the plan in East Africa.

• Develop a comprehensive reporting framework targeted at different internal and external audiences and working in collaboration with the Director of Research, Evaluation and Learning, the Director of Program and Innovation, and the data analysts, develop regular reports to guide management decision-making.
• Develop and implement Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning plans for all projects
• Oversee data collection activities, including coordination of enumerator training, as well as the design and implementation of quantitative and qualitative surveys, impact assessments and longevity studies.
• In close coordination with the Salesforce team, oversee innovations around digital data collection and apps for monitoring activities as well as the design and maintenance of BOMA’s customized Salesforce relational database, Performance Insights.
• Spearhead the development of the capacity of staff to understand and reflect on data and the use of monitoring and evaluation tools to support learning and adaptive management.
• In close collaboration with Director of Research, Evaluation and Learning build evidence of impact of BOMA’s graduation model through collaborating with research bodies to carry out successful targeted research and analysis towards BOMA’s influence and government adoption goals.
• Manage and report on periodic evaluations both internally and with external consultants of BOMA’s innovations and interventions and their contribution to increasing impact per dollar, and achieving Kenya government’s strategies and plans
• Lead in the writing up of monitoring and evaluation reports
• Promote a culture of data demand and use within BOMA
• Support documentation and dissemination of generated research, analysis and learning internally and externally.

Data Quality Assurance

Support implementation of quality management systems and track quality metrics.

• Thoroughly analyze, ensure accuracy of reported data, and recommend ways to improve data quality to ensure accuracy and quality service delivery.
• Support the review and development of strategies, tools and processes for ongoing data quality assurance (DQA) processes.
• Oversee continual assessment of quality of program delivery and data by managing ongoing field surveys, and analysis of collected data.
• Ensure feedback loops to regional managers or technical advisors and corrective actions implemented.
• Review and analyze monthly monitoring data and work with regional and project teams to identify issues.
• Organize and support quarterly reflection and training meetings to ensure continuous learning and improvement of BOMA’s data collection tools and methodologies.
• Lead and strengthen quality control of our data to assure the integrity of data for analysis, tracking, and validation.

Key Performance Metrics include:

• MEL Plans developed and implemented for all BOMA projects
• Monthly monitoring and survey data generated through Performance Insights are accurate, reliable, complete, timely and valid
• Periodic and ad hoc surveys and studies are high quality and delivered on time.

Internal Relationships:

• Regional Director
• M&E Manager will work closely with the Director of Research, Evaluation and Learning, the Director of Program and Innovation, the Kenya Program Director, graduation advisors and regional managers.  
• M&E Manager supervises the Salesforce System Administrators, M&E Officers, Data Analysts and M&E Fellows.

Qualifications:

• Commitment to the mission of the BOMA Project.
• Experience working in fast paced and high growth environments
• Ability to work well with others and to develop and maintain relationships with project staff, donors, and other partners
• Field experience in the arid lands, preferably in East Africa and demonstrated intercultural competence and sensibility
• Demonstrated experience in all stages of developing and implementing project monitoring and evaluation systems   
• Demonstrated skills in data collection, data analysis, documentation, data interpretation, and reporting.
• Demonstrated experience in management position in an INGO would be an advantage
• Experience working on USAID-funded projects preferred
• Strong analytical and organizational skills
• Strong communication skills (English language), both written and spoken
• Extensive knowledge in computer applications such as Excel, Word, Access and PowerPoint required.  Knowledge of Salesforce and Taroworks would be an advantage.
• Ability to build the capacity of and direct a team
• Strong presentation, communication skills and team player that inspires confidence
• Dedicated to achieving goals and objectives through team-based approaches.
• Must be motivated and self-directed with a flexible outlook

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree, MBA or advanced degree in Monitoring & Evaluation preferred
• Minimum 5 years’ experience setting up M&E systems
• Formal specific M&E training and/or specialized skills in statistics is an advantage
• Must have analytical experience with analytical tools like STATA or SPSS
• Experience in survey design, data collection, data processing and analysis
• Experience using Collaborating, Adapting and Learning practices preferred

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Summary:

The Graduation Advisor – Wajir serves as the primary source of training and technical support for BOMA Project partners who are implementing BOMA’s poverty graduation project, the Rural Entrepreneurship Access Project (REAP) in Wajir and Garissa Counties. 

This is a strategic position and is key to BOMA’s partnership strategy to achieve the goal of reaching 1 million women and children in the next five years.  The post holder will guide BOMA partners in planning and implementing each of the REAP components and provide on-going technical assistance to ensure that the program delivers the best possible outcomes for the participants. The successful candidate will be a critical thinker, have the ability to innovate and adapt program strategies, and have experience working with multiple stakeholders to achieve a common goal. S/he should be able to proactively identify potential challenges and collaborate with partners to identify solutions.

The post is based in Wajir County. The position reports to the Senior Regional Graduation Advisor of the BOMA Project.

Responsibilities:

Technical Assistance

• Provide training, technical support and guidance to BOMA Project partners in Wajir and Garissa Counties in planning, implementing and monitoring performance of the REAP poverty graduation project through extended assignments to the partner’s area of operations, as well as regular telephone calls and email communication to BOMA’s partner as requested and necessary.
• Review and provide technical and training input on proposals, agreements and MOUs for partnership.
• Review and provide technical and training input on internal and external reports and other documents as needed.
• Support partner programs in the recruitment of local staff by providing job descriptions, creating interview question templates and vetting or providing feedback to local management on the hiring process.

Quality Assurance

• Ensure the quality of REAP being implemented by the partner adheres to BOMA Project standards and guiding principles.
• Ensure consistent timely progress towards targets and overall project objectives.
• Ensure monitoring and quality control mechanisms are in place.
• Ensure sharing of evidence and best practices through written reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure processes are in place for the continual documentation of lessons learned and the feedback mechanisms that support continual improvements of REAP implemented through partners.

Program Development

• Work with partner program managers to develop timely work plans.
• Contribute to the professional development of partner field staff by providing training, mentoring, and other guidance.
• Develop or revise training materials as required
• Work closely with BOMA colleagues carrying out direct implementation projects, as well as HQ-based technical staff to access additional technical resources as needed.
• Ensure that the objectives and activities of the partner implementation reflect the strategic objectives of BOMA’s commitment to scale and replication of the REAP program.
• Contribute to the development of new and innovative approaches and initiatives in REAP programming.

Key Performance Metrics include:

• REAP guidelines and principles well understood by the partner staff
• Successful and timely launches of REAP businesses at partner sites
• Monthly reviews of KPIs and TA to implementers to carry out adaptations and course corrections as required

Internal Relationships:

• Wajir/Garissa Graduation Advisor reports to the KLMS Program Manager.
• Wajir/Garissa Graduation Advisor works collaboratively with the Training Manager, Regional Managers and other Graduation Advisors.  
• Wajir/Garissa Graduation Advisor works closely with BOMA project partners in Wajir and Garissa counties to ensure timely and effective implementation of the REAP program.

Qualifications:

• Commitment to the mission of The BOMA Project.
• Experience working in fast paced and high growth environments
• Ability to work well with others and to develop and maintain relationships with project staff, donors, and other partners
• Proven successful experience in managing a partnership with diverse stakeholders for a shared goal
• At least 2 years’ experience in economic empowerment, community development, or related field.
• Critical thinker, with strong analytical skills
• Ability to identify problems, design interventions and oversee their implementation
• Must demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Understanding of the socio-cultural environment in Wajir and/or Garissa and fluency in Somali language an added advantage
• Experience in programs focusing on adolescent girls and young women an added advantage
• Experience managing field-based projects in an international organization

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Women’s Economic Empowerment, Social Transformation, Community Development or related field
• Minimum 3 years project management and/or training experience

go to method of application »

Summary:

The BOMA Project is currently seeking qualified candidates for Project Manager position on the newly awarded USAID-funded Feed the Future Livestock Market Systems Activity. The specific program under activity is “Expanding and Diversifying Viable Economic Opportunities in Northern Kenya”, which provides market-based pull by facilitating a more competitive, commercialized livestock value chain for pastoralists that are moving up in the livestock market system and by creating viable, diversified livelihoods opportunities for those that are stepping or moving out of the sector. Program activities are layered with another Program under the overall USAID LMS project, “Strengthening Community Capacities for Resilience and Economic Growth”. ACDI/VOCA is the overall lead organization of this project.

The BOMA Project will directly implement BOMA’s Rural Entrepreneur Access Project (REAP) 2-year poverty graduation model in Isiolo county, which will contribute to strengthen and diversify productive livelihood opportunities, for men, women, and youth. Through a two-year sequence of interventions, REAP will help the poorest and most vulnerable women gain financial literacy, receive two years of mentoring in businesses and life skills, and through an asset transfer provided by BOMA, start small businesses to earn an income and establish savings to build their resilience to shocks.

BOMA Kenya staff will deliver BOMA’s Poverty Graduation Model in Isiolo. BOMA Kenya graduation advisors will provide technical assistance to Mercy Corps to implement the model in Wajir and Turkana, building on existing pilots. The overall length of position is two and one-half years. The position is expected to start in January, 2018.

The KLMS Project Manager will responsible for driving performance and results to achieve project objectives, and to support the implementation of the LMS project to achieve programmatic excellence, delivery of results with sound financial management, and contractual compliance.S/he will lead the team to deliver timely project implementation, monitor project activities, and ensure quality. S/he will manage relationships with project partners, including ACDI/VOCA, the lead of the overall KLMS award. This position will be based in the ACDI/VOCA KLMS project office Isiolo, Kenya, with frequent travel to Wajir and Turkana, and occasional travel to Nairobi.

The ideal candidate is an experienced project manager with prior experience working with USAID or other bilateral donor. S/he is effective at project planning and management, managing employees, and relationships with partners and stakeholders in challenging environments and is passionate about women’s economic empowerment.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the implementation of the BOMA component of the overall LMS project

• Manage technical and administrative personnel and in the implementation of the activity
• Ensure timely project implementation and technical reliability, monitor project activities, and ensure quality, including work planning, monitoring, evaluation and learning, and reporting.
• Provide technical and/or operational guidance to team
• Coordinate the development, implementation and reporting on detailed management plans that may include implementation plans, deliverable tracking, etc
• Lead annual work planning and make adjustment needed in coordination with the Kenya Program Director and the ACDI/VOCA project lead.
• Supervise the fulfillment of the activities according to the work plan
• Manage relationships with ACDI/VOCA, Mercy Corps and other partners related to project implementation
• Ensure effective coordination and synergies between BOMA, ACDI/VOCA, Mercy Corps on project activities
• Ensure team alignment with project strategy
• Supervise proper compliance of project staff with BOMA policies
• Manage the use of resources and the processes of internal control of the project
• Carry out the planning for the execution of the project
• Interview and propose the personnel to be hired if required
• Supervise compliance with the project with all levels of staff
• Review staff time sheets on a monthly basis
• Represent BOMA at meetings with USAID at the request of ACDI/VOCA
• With support from BOMA Nanyuki procurement staff, manage procurements, deliveries and other related logistical actions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, economics, business, agricultural or rural development and at least 5 years of demonstrated management experience in managing economic or community development projects of a similar size
• Knowledge of donor administrative, management and reporting procedures and systems along with strategic program planning, management, supervision, USAID experience a plus
• Experience in Northern Kenya is required; experience in Isiolo, Turkan or Warjir a plus
• Understanding of economic development practices
• Detail orientation, including strong organizational, analytical and quantitative skills. 
• Strong project management skills including the ability to anticipate demand and manage multiple tasks and projects while meeting tight deadlines.
• Ability to build consensus and demonstrated ability to recruit and develop high performing teams; demonstrated ability to manage staff.
• Experience and demonstrated capacity to build and sustain partnerships to achieve development results.
• Excellent oral and written skills in English. Fluency in Kiswahili required.
• Demonstrated ability to be collaborative across projects, flexible and creative.
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Prior experience managing a team of highly-successful staff working in multiple locations/field offices desired
• Excellent computer skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Internet. 
• Strong written communications skills. 
• Willingness to travel domestically up to 40% of the time.